Friday, July 31, 2009

I recently got a library book this week all about basket weaving. My intentions were to get an idea how to basket weave so that I could apply it to my magazine coasters. Boy was I surprised when they turned out so good!Here are my new creations using nothing but magazines, creativity and an acrylic seal.These babies are up for grabs in my Etsy Shop. I really liked making these, and with the new knowledge I can't wait to jump up to recycled magazine baskets!Lesson Learned: Go to the Library often!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

So if any of you has tried to make a hat you will realize that it is not as easy as it looks. I have been working on a line of baby hats for my etsy shop... They will be up next week so feel free to take a look. I decided to make my own pattern and I worked one up so fast. Then I gave it to my model... a 3 month old baby boy. It was of course way too small. I did some research online and came up with this chart:

months.............circumference.............length

0-3....................14 inches.......................4.5-5 inches

3-6....................14-16 inches.................5-5.5 inches

6-12..................16-18 inches..................6-6.5 inches

12-24................18-19.5 inches..............6.5-7 inches

Now according to my model the chart is off by 1... her 3 month old has a head circumference of 16 inches... so I made him a 6-12 month hat and it fit great.Other than that the hats look good, and if I follow the chart the hat comes out correct... with the length substantial for the circumference.

Anybody out there have the same problem I am having? I could use some help figuring these hat sizes out. Do you know of a site that gives correct sizes?

Friday, July 24, 2009

All of you out there with projects just sitting in dust raise your hand. (Hand Raise) I can't count how many projects I have started and pushed aside for the next one. Too many I can tell you that. I decided to look into the darkness and pull out those unfinished projects. Here is my collection:

2 out of 4 sewn quilted coasters

1 half cut quilt (not even sewn at all!)

3 unfinished scarfs (I don't even remember who I started making them for)

2 half hats

3 partly crocheted baby blankets (I even used the rest of the yarn for other projects)

1 barely there rug

1 attempt at weaving

2 attempts at spinning (its harder than it looks)

My list is big but I am sure more of you out there do this too.Tell me and others about your unfinished closet of crafts in the comments!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Ahh... When I think about yarn my heart starts to beat so fast, but as most people out there I buy up more yarn than I can actually use in one project. I find myself with lots and lots of left over bits of yarn that I cannot for the life of me figure out what to do with. Not enough for a scarf... forget a blanket (unless you want it to look like confetti exploded). So I figured I should do some exploring and see what I can use those small, and even smaller bits of yarn for that would actually make me feel good about using up all my leftovers.

I have finnaly come up with a few... some big, some small... projects to help us all with those pesky leftovers:

Baby Hats- use little yarn and are perfect for finishing up those leftover balls of yarn, especially if you have some great color combos.

Crocheted Flowers- are great for itty bitty bits of yarn just laying around. They also look fantastic attached to hats, scarfs, even blankets.

Slippers- epecially baby booties are perfect for small amounts of yarn, just make sure you have enough to make 2.

Free Pattern Use Info

All my free patterns are my original creations. You are more than welcome to make them for yourself, someone you know, or for charity! If you would like to sell items made from my free patterns please just make sure to give me credit for the pattern and add a link to either my blog, or my etsy shop.I love sharing my patterns with you, and want to continue to do so. Please just respect my creative rights.Thank youMelissa Wenn